Futebol

"Vividly captures the romance and passion that we expect from Brazilians"
Fatboy Slim

Brazil became a republic in 1889. Five years later Charles Miller arrived with two footballs at the port of Santos and the country's destiny was foreordained. Within decades football was the strongest symbol of Brazilian identity. Brazil has won the World Cup four times more than any other country. It has produced some of the most talented players of all time, such as Leônidas, Didi, Garrincha, Sócrates, Zico, Romário and Ronaldo, and of course Pelé, the greatest of them all.

But the romance of Brazilian football is not just that the country is the most successful. It is because of the graceful, awesomely skilful and acrobatic way they play. It is because of the musicality and contagious good spirits of their fans. And it is because the commentators shout: "goooooooooooooal".

The history of Brazilian football and the development of its musical styles are entwined. Perhaps because of the emphasis on the dribble, which moves one's whole body, the sport is often described as a dance. The rhythm, happiness and ingenuity that mark Brazilian football make it perfect subject matter for music. Pixinguinha was the first major composer to write a song about a match, in 1919, and since then football has inspired almost all the great twentieth century popular Brazilian artists including Chico Buarque, Caetano Veloso, Elis Regina and Jorge Ben, all of whom have tracks on this 22 track compilation that honours, football and that special Brazilian connection.

Brazilians best express their creativity through football and music. Often both at the same time. Great packaging, amazing liner notes and has a couple of slices of the commentary from the 1970 World Cup, which Brazil won, gooooooooooooooooooooooal!